Guide Dogs have been trained for over seventy years, but training dogs to assist deaf and physically disabled people is much more recent. Jean Orpin & Sue Lee find out more
These days there are also Hearing Dogs, Dogs for the Disabled, Canine Partners and Support Dogs. These charities are working together to campaign for the rights of all assistance dog owners and have designated 2008 as the Year of the Assistance Dog.
We have made a survey of our shops in Stamford and have discovered that all of them, including food shops, smart dress shops, hotels and even china shops would welcome Assistance Dogs. They are also welcome in our hospitals, dentists, the Post Office and the Museum. Stamford Arts Centre is always pleased to make special provision if contacted in advance.
Dogs from all these charities are easily recognised by their distinctive coloured jackets with the name of the charity printed on them, only available to specially trained and registered dogs. Sometimes a disabled person would like special help with access and information and even a drink for the dog! During the year owners will be encouraged to nominate places which have made them especially welcome.
Dogs for the Disabled - green jacket
These dogs are trained to do practical tasks such as emptying the washing machine, opening and closing doors and even helping someone undress. The dogs help people with a huge range of disabilities from those with multiple sclerosis to paraplegics and cerebral palsy. In 2004 a new service was set up training dogs for physically disabled children.
Guide Dogs for the Blind - yellow jacket
Once someone has lost their sight, a guide dog gives back a degree of freedom. Blind people are housebound without a guide dog and certainly would be unable to go into towns on their own. This charity also cares for the welfare of these dogs which are regularly groomed to the highest standard. The health and condition of every dog is checked frequently by a vet.
Support Dogs – yellow jacket
This charity was founded in 1992 and is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with various disabilities. Each dog is taught tasks tailored to its individual owner’s needs and the charity also trains Seizure Alert Dogs able to alert their owners to an imminent epileptic seizure. No charge is made for the training and it costs about £10,000 to train and support each dog for life!
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – burgundy jacket
These dogs alert deaf owners to sounds we take for granted and can change their life on many levels. A hearing dog offers a practical alternative to technical equipment with the added benefit of giving increased independence, greater confidence, companionship and a feeling of security. Having started life as an RSPCA rescue dog, Molly, the five-year-old hearing dog for Tony Higbed (82) was crowned the Crufts ‘Friend for Life’ in 2007.
Canine Partners – lilac jacket
The aim of Canine Partners is to assist people with disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and where possible to improve the quality of their lives by going into or resuming education and employment. They work closely with Guide Dogs taking advantage of their experience and have placed over 140 dogs around the UK since their launch in 1991. The charity is hoping to set up a local support group in our area – more details soon.
YEAR OF THE ASSISTANCE DOG EVENT
Lakenheath Charity Run (5 miles) & Fun Run (2 miles) - Jan 27th Entry from £1.50 to £6 in aid of Hearing Dogs (Details from Mike Chambers, Anchor House, 19 Anchor Lane, Lakenheath IP27 9DP 01842 861108 or anchambers@tiscali.co.uk